Simagic Zeus Formula Steering Wheel Review: premium build and advanced inputs for F1 racing

TweakTown Rating: 95%

Our Verdict

Simagic has delivered with the Zeus Formula. Connectivity options may get confusing, but value, build quality and features make it truly hard to beat.

Pros

• Build quality
• Functionality
• Value
• Included screen
• SimHub integration

Cons

• Pre-labeled rotary encoders
• Add-on requirements can be confusing

Should you buy it?

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Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

Simagic has been teasing its new Zeus range of steering wheels for quite some time, with fans of the ecosystem eagerly waiting for the new rims to drop. Finally, they are here. Simagic has launched the Zeus Formula, the Zeus GT, and the Zeus Sport; each wheel has unique characteristics and use cases depending on driving style.

The Zeus Formula is obviously aimed at F1 and Formula-style racing, while the Zeus GT, with its open-grip design, is better suited to GT3 and hypercars. If you are into touring cars and rally, then the Zeus Sport might be more your thing. Things don't stop there, though, with a range of replacement rims for both the Zeus GT and Sport to truly customize the experience, available in a variety of materials, from Alcantara to leather, in all sorts of sizes and formats.

Not only do we have the new Zeus wheels, but we also have the all-new Simagic MagicDash 4, a 3.97" touchscreen, offering official presets, SimHub support, and a built-in touchpad. The MagicDash 4 is compatible with all three Zeus wheels and is also usable standalone; it offers flexible mounting options, either to your steering wheel, wheel base, or using the all-new MagDock stand.

Today, I am covering the Simagic Zeus Formula, the flagship of the Zeus lineup. This wheel has been built with open-wheel and performance driving in mind. It features F1-standard sizing, carbon fiber and CNC aluminum construction, and up to 92 fully customizable inputs, giving you all the controls needed to perform on track.

While I wanted to get this covered for the launch back in May, due to shipping delays and other commitments, it's taken a little longer to put this wheel through its paces, take a look at all the features, and then give my thoughts. Being delayed, though, hasn't been a bad thing because, due to the feedback Simagic initially received, there have been some adjustments to pricing and what is included to get you up and running. I will detail this more when I wrap things up, but what you need to know is that the Simagic Zeus Formula retails at $669. There is a lot to cover today, so let's not waste any more time and get started.

Packaging

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The Simagic Zeus Formula arrives in premium, glossy packaging, with a full view of the wheel's features. Front and center is the MagicDash 4, and the buttons are all showing off their backlighting. A Simagic logo sits to the top left, with the Zeus logo and product model information below on the right.

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The dimensions of the Simagic Zeus Formula are indicated on the rear of the packaging, as well as what is included in the box below. QR codes are also present for downloads, tutorials, and technical support. More QR codes are included along the edge of the box, a common theme among Simagic products.

Unboxing the Simagic Zeus Formula

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Opening the lid, we are greeted first by the MagicDash 4 and an accessory box inlaid in open-cell foam.

Frequently Asked Questions

TweakBot answers common questions about this review using TweakTown's own coverage from this page and related content from our archive. Tap a question to reveal the answer, or type your own below.

Question #1

Which wheelbases are officially compatible with the Simagic Zeus Formula and MagicDash 4, and what adapters (Air Link, MagLink Pro, MagDock) are needed for each setup?

The MagicDash 4 is by default compatible with the Alpha EVO series wheelbases and Zeus series steering wheels. To use the MagicDash 4 you need one of these adapters depending on setup: Air Link for wireless connection to Zeus series and MagicDash 4; MagLink Pro for wired connection and extra power delivery when using Zeus and Neo X series wheels or third-party wheelbases; MagDock to bolt the MagicDash 4 to the front of an Alpha series wheelbase or any third-party base/surface with a matching spacing pattern.

Answered

Question #2

How do I enable SimHub integration and LED telemetry control for the MagicDash 4 — which connectivity option (Air Link, MagLink Pro, MagDock) is required?

Click to reveal answer

Question #3

If I want to use the MagicDash 4 standalone off the wheel, what mounting spacing and hardware do I need to fit it to third‑party bases with MagDock?

Click to reveal answer

Question #4

What are the exact steps and required cables to connect the Zeus Formula directly to a PC without a Simagic wheelbase?

Click to reveal answer

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Included in the small accessory box are the USB cable for connecting the wheel directly to your PC, Quick Start Guide, decals, and tweezers for applying the stickers to the buttons.

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Simagic is packaging the MagicDash 4 separately, so let's take a look. An image of the dash sits on the front of the box, and it's worth noting the Red Dot Award Winner logo in the bottom left corner, so Simagic has certainly been making an impression.

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There's not a lot to note on the rear, with the same QR codes as on the main wheel packaging and a label listing what is included. Opening the flap reveals a leaflet with details on the dash itself.

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The Simagic MagicDash 4 features a 4" touchscreen with a resolution of 800x400, dimensions come in at 124.80 x 83.85 x 19.80mm, and it weighs 185.6g. The screen is surrounded by 15 LEDs at the top, acting as the rpm lights, with 6 lights on the sides for indicating functions, flags, or whatever else you wish to program via SimHub or Simagic's SimPro Manager.

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The back of the dash includes pogo pins for connection to the wheel and locating bars to ensure it sits in the correct position. It feels nice and rugged in the hand, constructed of aluminum alloy, with an injection-molded front surround.

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A side view of the dash shows its profile, with the screen recessed within the bezel. By default, the Simagic MagicDash 4 is compatible with the Alpha EVO series wheelbases and Zeus series steering wheels. In order to use this dash stand alone with the compatible Alpha series wheelbases and third-party bases with front mounting holes, this can be achieved by adding on the all-new Simagic MagDock; more on that later.

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Now to the main attraction, the Zeus Formula wheel itself. Simagic packages this in a plastic bag, which is a bit of a shame compared to the Zeus Sport, which comes with a fabric cover. I'm covering that wheel soon, so look out for the review!

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Now that the wheel is out of the box, it certainly looks and feels amazing. The wheel features a 5mm solid carbon fiber front plate and a one-piece CNC-machined aluminum alloy back cover. As noted on the box, it's a 280mm wheel, and with the MagicDash 4 installed, it weighs 1.63kg, so while it's not the lightest, it certainly feels well-made when grabbing hold of it, and up to now, not a hint of flex can be felt when trying to twist it.

Simagic also includes an innovative three-layer grip design, featuring a steel core for rock-solid stability, an injection-molded layer for a firmer grip, and an outer silicone layer for anti-slip, comfort, and better protection against wear. It should last well then, and using gloves will help to protect it for years to come.

Covering the main inputs, it looks well laid out with sensible button placement. Simagic includes 16 customizable RGB buttons, 2 7-way multi-position rotary switches, 4 rotary encoders, and 4 thumb encoders. In total, there are 92 physical inputs, so you won't run short of mapping options. Having a play with the buttons and rotaries, they all have a really nice feel to them; similar to the GT Neo I also have here. Note that the Zeus Formula also includes two indicator-style lights, one on either side of the dash. These can be mapped to whatever you would like, but I would suggest using them as indicators (not that F1 cars have them!), or as a proximity warning for other cars on track.

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Being backlit, you can see that Simagic has pre-designated the four rotary encoders, which, in my opinion, they should have left blank and provided decals for the end user to decide what goes where. Diff, Map, ABS, and TC are included, so the options do make sense, but it would be nice to put these where I wanted. Of course, you can still do that, but then the labels won't match up.

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I love how Simagic has recessed the buttons; it prevents accidental presses, and when you are concentrating on the road ahead, you can feel where your thumbs are to ensure you hit the right switch. As with previous Simagic wheels, all the buttons include a recess on top for installing the provided decals.

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Looking from the top and the bottom, you see the ergonomically shaped handles, with the Simagic logo printed to the top edge. If you hadn't noticed already, here the metal thumb encoders and the 50mm Zeus quick-release mechanism are orange, rather than the traditional Simagic red, to denote the Zeus lineup.

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The back of the wheel features a USB-C port under the quick-release mechanism, and the four paddles are visible. The magnetic gears include adjustable carbon fiber paddles, while the clutch paddles are made of metal and are not adjustable. Simagic is also offering paddle upgrades to allow a six-paddle configuration as an optional extra. I have the kit here, so I will cover it later today. One additional feature on the back of the Simagic Zeus Formula is the inclusion of two RGB buttons on the top; they are nice and accessible for mapping to specific functions and are readily available in the heat of a race.

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When holding the Simagic Zeus Formula, one thing that did stand out a little is the position of the top screw holes in the grips; they are a little noticeable when your fingers cover them. Maybe Simagic could have added some covers here so the holes could be made flush. While everything else is nigh on perfect, it's just a little area that could be better.

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Installing the Simagic MagicDash 4 is a simple process; the included plastic cover includes magnets and simply pops out. With the cover out, the dash snaps into place with a satisfying clunk. With the wheel ready for testing, I love how this looks, and everything feels really refined, precise, and well-built. Testing will reveal just how good it is, so let's get to software installation and see how the Simagic Zeus Formula needs to be set up.

Installation & Software

To get set up, there are a couple of things you need to know. First, you will need the Simagic Air Link, MagDock, or MagLink Pro to have the MagicDash 4 working, depending on how you want to implement it. Let's cover the options then;

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First, there is the all-new Air Link. This is Simagic's proprietary wireless solution for the Zeus Series and MagicDash 4. It handles dashboard data, lighting effects, and telemetry simultaneously, with higher bandwidth and stable transmission throughout. A small control box is used and connected to your PC via USB.

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The second option is Maglink Pro, Simagics' new version of Maglink. This version supports Zeus and Neo X series wheels, as well as the GT Neo. Maglink Pro offers extra power delivery for the MagicDash 4 and can be used with third-party wheelbases, with 32Nm of magnetic force for a firm connection.

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The final option is MagDock, allowing you to bolt the MagicDash 4 to the front of an Alpha series wheelbase. If the spacing pattern aligns, you can fit it to third-party wheelbases or surfaces that will accommodate the MagDock. Potentially, you could mount this to an aluminum profile off to one side, wherever is convenient for you.

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As I mentioned right at the start, the delays in getting to this review meant that Simagic had time to reflect on user feedback and now offers Air Link with every bundle, rather than it being an optional accessory you need to purchase. This is a good reaction from Simagic and really shows they are listening to their customers, in a move that makes sense. Granted, this should have been the case from the start, but at least they have rectified it quickly.

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With connectivity options for the MagicDash 4 covered, let's jump into SimPro Manager V3.1.0.12614 and connect everything up. For testing, I will use the Air Link connection option and connect it via USB to my PC. Simagic sent over the MagDock and MagLink Pro, but I will cover them in another review soon.

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New firmware was required for the Zeus Formula, MagicDash 4, and the Air Link module, so after a few minutes of clicking away, we are ready to delve into what the Zeus Formula has to offer.

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Covering the front of the wheel, the ZF page is familiar to what you get with other wheels from Simagic, with clutch calibration shown to the right-hand side. Clicking one of the buttons opens new options where you can make further adjustments.

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Color and effects can all be adjusted here for every single button, and the indicator lights to the left and right of the MagicDash 4. The list of effects is quite comprehensive, with flags, DRS, pits, and other options all available. Digital encoding is also an option for the rotary encoders, and when turned on, the diagram highlights the encoder's position for mapping in-game. To fully implement SimHub control over the wheel LEDs, though, you do need to connect the wheel via USB or MagLink Pro. The connectivity options for the Zeus range and MagicDash 4 are varied, and you need to fully understand them before making a purchase, so you know exactly what you need to run it in your preferred way.

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You might miss it, but a small tab at the top will flip the wheel around to show the back and the other two buttons included. While these also feature backlighting, it seems a bit of a waste given that you won't see them in action. Still, it's nice to have everything match. As with the front, the same customization options are available.

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The next page to check out is the Air Link tab, just to show what it can connect to. Installation and setup are quick and simple, and once the firmware is updated, you are good to go. Simagic lists the compatible devices here.

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Now onto the MagicDash 4 settings page: here, Simagic includes a range of preinstalled dashboards for you to use, some of which are quite competent. The range of styles varies too, so everything from F1 to rally is covered, and a lot in between. You can select the dashboards you want to use, then use the touchscreen on the dash to flick between them during the race. Of course, if you don't want to use the inbuilt dashboards, flick the toggle at the top, and you can now use your own preferred dash from SimHub. It's great to have SimHub incorporated here, and it's a trick that MOZA missed with their CM2 dash that I covered recently.

SimPro Manager is a fairly well-rounded suite, and I have gone over it in detail before. Having the option to save, import, and export profiles is great for setting up a number of wheel configurations, along with the FFB setting. With everything you need to know now covered, let's get testing.

Kris' Sim Racing Test System Specifications

Final Thoughts

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Snapping the Zeus Formula into place, I am ready to hit the track. I will be using Assetto Corsa for testing. The Zeus Formula plays a little dance on startup, flashing its LEDs at you through a rainbow of colors. Backlighting across the wheel is very good, and while I haven't installed the decals yet, I want to have a think about what is going where. Again, it's the same positive story from Simagic that I have seen before, with everything executed very well indeed.

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We're not focusing too much on the FFB here, as it's the wheel itself that I am covering, but given this is a 2080mm rim, feedback is transferred quickly, allowing small adjustments to make corrections on track. It handles Formula racing extremely well, as expected, and I have thrown this around quite aggressively where needed. Despite the abuse it was subjected to, the Simagic Zeus Formula was essentially laughing at me, given its structural build quality and lack of any detectable weaknesses. At one point, I made a mistake on track, and it could easily have snapped my wrist. Respect where it's due, then; this is a solid wheel indeed.

The grips are, well, grippy and comfortable to use for longer spells. It did take me a little time to get used to them coming from a GT Neo as one of my daily drivers, as the grips are a little larger than its cousin, but nothing you won't adapt to quite quickly. They are ergonomic, and your hands sit comfortably within the wheel's contours.

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The two main areas to cover, now that we have erased any doubts about its rigidity, are the inputs and, of course, the MagicDash 4 screen. Despite being a Formula wheel, there is no reason why you can't use this rim for other racing disciplines, and given how many inputs there are, you won't run out anytime soon. I like to map the basic needs first: Pit Limiter, Flasher, ABS, TC, Brake Bias, and Engine Map, then start filling in the blanks with other bits and pieces. For F1 racing, obviously, you have more to go at: DRS, rain light, and all the wizardry that F1 involves. With the four central encoders pre-labeled, it makes sense to keep them as they are. I also mapped brake bias to one of the left thumb wheels and FFB strength to the right.

While I will talk more about the screen soon, for SimHub, I also like to map a button to each side of the wheel to flick through relative information in the Lovely Dashboard, so I can keep my hands on the wheel at all times. Reaching for buttons, in and out of gloves, was simple for the top half of the rim, with everything really nice and accessible, and I generally leave the bottom half of a wheel for controls that I don't need on-the-fly, the less important stuff, so to speak. All buttons and encoders are really positive, without any numbness when using gloves. It's the same high standard of buttons, funky switches, and encoders that Simagic has used on other wheels, so you won't be disappointed here in any way, shape, or form.

Around the back, it's more of the same, with snappy, pleasant gear changes that are not too loud. Simagic is using the same hall magnetic paddles here as found on other wheels, and they are as satisfying as ever. Having those additional two buttons on the back also proves useful. I mapped these to the SimHub dash pages I mentioned earlier, and it's great to have these accessible, so I didn't have to move my hands at all.

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Just before I move on to the screen, let's quickly cover the optional six-paddle add-on from Simagic. Installation of the modules is really simple: unscrew and unplug the existing pair of paddles, and connect up the new ones. This upgrade adds two additional inputs, bringing the total to three per side, each independently assignable for shift, clutch, DRS, and full control customization. Each one can be installed with metal, injection-molded plastic, or carbon fiber shift paddles. Having an assortment of paddles is great, and Simagic also lets you tweak the layout to your own style, with adjustments available to width, distance, and spacing.

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While you might not need six paddles, the kit is available for an additional $80. While it does bump the price a bit more, it is worth considering as a plug-and-play upgrade.

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Moving to the dash, to wrap it up quickly, I like it. The MagicDash 4 is a versatile little bugger. From the premade dash templates, I became quite fond of a couple and found myself switching between them for quite some time. Given the Air Link connectivity, I didn't feel there was much delay in getting the information to the screen. It's nice and responsive, and even if there is a little delay in getting the numbers moving up or down, you spend most of your time looking at what's happening on track, so any delay is negligible. The text is easily readable, and the screen looks sharp with vivid colors and good contrast.

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While I am impressed with the templates Simagic is offering, Lovely Dashboard still reigns supreme for me, and it's thanks to Simagic's SimHub integration that it can be used. I've said this before: if you have a product that can be integrated with SimHub, do it; otherwise, you end up with something that's good but not quite there, and you almost reduce your customer base, because so many people are using SimHub for a variety of things. SimHub is an ecosystem you want to be part of, and I am pleased to see Simagic embrace it.

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Having a touchscreen dash is nice; I don't normally use its functionality, purely because I map things to the steering wheel. But here, Simagic has another trick up its sleeve. On this screen, you have four options: Simagic dash, SimHub dash, Settings, and Mouse. It's the final one that I really like! If you have a rig and your keyboard and mouse are placed off to one side while you are on track, a quick tap on the screen lets you use the screen as a trackpad with your mouse as you would normally.

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It's not a groundbreaking development, but having it available as a function is quite handy if you want to jump to the settings menu, flick up OBS to start a recording, and so on. It's a small detail I really like and will actually use. Now, don't forget that the MagicDash 4 doesn't have to be placed on a wheel, and you can have more than one dash running at the same time. So if you want to add a second dash off to the side with a different display, you can.

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To wrap things up, the Simagic Zeus Formula is a competent, well-built wheel with plenty of inputs to map. Just forget the screen for a second; on its own, it's simply a great wheel. Add the MagicDash 4, though, and it truly comes alive, even if you don't mount it to the wheel itself. It's a comprehensive package that, at the price and given its versatility, is hard to beat. I'm not the biggest F1 fan, or 280mm wheel fan, but I literally have nothing bad to say about it. Perhaps my only concern is how you get up and running. Simagic listened to the noise being made about Air Link and now includes it as standard. However, with a variety of connectivity options, it can get a little confusing to know what you need to get the most out of this wheel, with or without Magic Dash 4, particularly if you want SimHub LED control. If you take your time and pick the right combo, though, you won't be disappointed with the Simagic Zeus Formula.